Farm implement



FARM -IMfLEMENT Filed A ug. 22, 1944- 3 sheissheet 1.

. YQ ALFRED 5cm/L TZ,

v CARL SCHL/TZ? l Aug. 7, 1945, A. scHuLTz ET AL 2,381,005

FARM IMPLEMENT Filed Aug'. 22, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 KInventors ALFREDcH/L TZ, CAE/ SCHL/.f frz,l

Aug. 7, 1945'.` A. SCHULTZQETAL 2,381,005

' FARM .IMPLEMENT Filed Aug. 22 1944 v 5 sheets-'she'et 3 32 I Inventorsl\ zfwf .SCHUL-rz,

" CARL 5cm/KFZ,

Pajama 'Aig i 'f barrancos"A famed schuim and can sc'hiiitz Uphamrn.Dak, Q.vApplicationngustzz, 1944,1seriaiNo. 550,596 """fi'claim,(clisafrs);`

This invention-relates to. a farml implement and .more particularly toarotary straw spreaderV or similar device.

,A primary objectlof vision of an improved rotary straw spreader adaptedto rake or fremove straw from stubble fields; onto. agplowedz section ofthe said eld during the course of the plowing operation.

An additional object is the provision of such an apparatus providingmeans to mulch the land and prevent soil erosion.

A still further object is the provision of such a device which may beoperated in conjunction with the conventional plow and at the same timehas the plowing operation. l

A still further object is the provision of such a device which whentowed by a tractor or the like will be substantially self-operating andthe raking effect thereof will be accomplished substantiallyautomatically by the mere towing of the device.

Still another object is the provision in such a device of means wherebythe falling of the raked l or gathered straw into the furrow of the plowis precluded.

A more specific object is the provision in such a device of meansnormally biasing the rotary raking member in a direction toward thestraw or stubble -to be raked onto the plowed field. 4

Still further objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed outas the description of the invention'proceeds and disclosed in theaccompanying drawings, wherein there is shown a preferred form of thisinventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of device embodying thisinvention, in association with a plow and tractor for pulling the same.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a device such as shownin Figure 1.

this invention is the pron tional design, provided with plow handles I2,or a corresponding towing rig to which is `adapted to be attached 'thedevice comprising this inventive concept,. generally indicated-at I3.YrIn general terms the device I3. `isconnclrised of a U-shapedframe'generally indicated at I4 including astransverse member I5 and`downwardly extending members I6, to lwliich zare secured axlesIl'lon'which are mounted wheels I8, by means of which the frame and itsassociated mechanism is adapted to be supported. Extending forwardlyfrom transverse frame member I5 are a pair of elongated members and apair of angularly disposed similar members, comprised of angle iron orthe like, 2I terminating at the point 22 at which point is aflixed atowing hook 23. Extending members have secured to the lower portionthereof bracketlike members 24 having an aperture passed through `thelower portion thereof through which aperture and a suitable aperture intowing hook 23 extends a locking pin 25 adapted to engage the Figure 3is a top plan view of the device shown member I2, secured to the plowII. Pivotally secured to transverse member I3 as on a pivot 3D is avertical member 3I, comprised of a rotatable rod or axle 32 engaged in asleeve 33 secured to the pivot pin 3U. Rod 32 has secured to the lowerextremity thereof in a manner for rotation thereabout, a wheel generallyindicated at 35 comprised of a rim 36, a hub '31, a plurality of spokes38, and a plurality of projecting teeth 39 depending downwardly from therim. Likewise secured to rod 32 at a lower extremity thereof below wheel35 is a follower 4D adapted to extend rearwardly beyond the extent ofthe diameter of the wheel and being of a width or thickness suiicient tofill a furrow created by plow II. A follower wheel l5 mounted upon anaxle 46 secured as `by a pivot 4l in a sleeve 4B secured to transverseframe member I5 is adapted to ride upon one side` of rim 36 in order tohold that side of the wheel relan tively adjacent the ground. Pivotalmovement of the wheel 45 is permitted in order that any roughenedportions or bumps in the ground may be accommodated rwithout disruptionof the apparatus. The upper portion of rod 32 which extends above frameI5 terminates in a cap 5D to which is secured one end of a coiled spring5I, the other end thereof being suitably secured to a point ontransverse frame member I5 exteriorly of the pivotal junction of axle 46therewith, the spring normally serving to bias rod 32 about pivot 3l] insuch manner as to raise the side of the wheel opposite follower wheel 45a distance above the surface of the ground.

It will be understood that dimensions of the apparatus may be readilyadjusted to suit varyingconditions, it being pointed out that in thepreferred embodiment of the invention the diameter of the wheelstructure 35 is preferably at least twice the width of the plow Il. Fromthe foregoing, the operation of the device should now be readilyunderstandable. As the plow l I is towed by tractor I0, suitable furrowsin a stubble field or the like are provided. Plow il, in turn, towsrotary straw spreader I3, the teeth 39 on the side of the wheel 35adjacent follower wheel 45 engaging with the ground and sweeping thestraw rearwardly, due to the rotation of the wheel effected byengagement of the teeth with they ground until the same is on the otherside of the plow and furrow, that is to say, the region of 'Y cludes anystraw or stubble falling into the fur` row in the course of plowing atthe particular time, thus precluding the coverage or burying of anystubble when the next adjacent row is turned over.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided 'animproved self-propelled rotary straw spreader, which will be reliableand eiiicient in operation, sturdy and durable in construction, andrelatively 'simple and inexpensive to manufacture and operate.

AS many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

In a device of the character described, in combination, a frame,including a transverse member wheels carried by and supporting saidframe, a horizontally positioned rotatable member, mounted on an axle,carried by a pivot positioned at substantially the mid-point of saidtransverse Igrnember, said axle extending above said transverse member,and means to engage a portion of said member with the ground on one sideof said frame to eect a raking action, said last-mentioned meansincluding a follower wheel rotatable on the rim of said member, andpivotally secured to said frame, and a spring extending between theupper extremity of said axle above its pivot point and an off centerportion of said transverse member normally biasing said rotatable memberat an angle so that one portion thereof extends toward engagement withthe ground.

ALFRED SCHULTZ.

CARL SCHULTZ.'

